Bootjack



Patented Sept. 20, I898. C. F. SPAID.

BOOTJAGK.

(Application filed July 20, 1897.)

(N0 Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFiQE.

CHARLES F. SPAID, OF LEI-IEW, WEST VIRGINIA.

BOOTJACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,048, dated September 20, 1898.

Application filed July 20, 1:597.

To all whom, it may coacern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. SPAID, of

Lehew, in the county of Hampshire and State of WVest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bootjacks; and I do herebydeclare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention,

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to new and useful im- .construction, cheap, durable, and efficient in operation.

It is my purpose to provide a bootjack which can be operated by convenient means to accommodate the heel-clamp of the jack to the widths of various boot-heels and also to any length of boot.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent in the course of the followingdescription, and the points of novelty will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

I am enabled to accomplish the objects of my invention by the simple means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved bootjack with one of the platesthereof removed for more clearly illustrating the same. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal central section of thedevice. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the sliding section of the bootjack, and Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of the lever for operating the jack. Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of a modified form of the lever.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a frame which is composed of two side bars 2 and 3, connected at their ends and at the top and bottom by cross bars or' plates 4 and 5, respectively, the plates 5 being provided with short laterally-extending arms perforated, as indicated by the numeral 6, for the passage of bolts or screws, by which means the bootjack is firmly securedto the floor.

The numeral 7 indicates a cross-bar which is secured to the upper edge of the cross-bars 2 and 3, and the numeral 8 indicates two clamping-jaws which are pivoted to the un- Serial No. 645,273. (No model.)

der side of the bar 7, and their front ends are recessed, as indicated by the numeral 9, and their rear ends provided with downwardlyextending lugs or projections 10.

The numeral 11 indicates a slide which is supported upon the upper sides of the plates 5, andsaid slide is provided at its forward end with a slot 12, in which is received the extensionlS of the operating-lever 14:. The rear end of the slide is provided at its side edges with inclined cam-blocks 15 and between said blocks with ablock 16, which is beveled at its forward end,on'both sides thereof, as indicated by the numeral 17, said block 16 being also provided with shoulders 18, the purpose of which will presently become apparent.

The numeral 19 indicates four curved recesses which are provided, two on either side of the frame, in the bars 2 and 3. These recesses are adapted to receive the short laterally-extending pins 20, which are provided upon theope'rating-lever 1 1. The operatinglever is provided a short distance above the frame, at the central portion thereof, with a beveled recess 21 for. the reception of the toe of the boot, the lever thus forming a toeclamp.

The numeral 22 indicates two metallic plates which I preferably provide upon the side bars 2 and 3, on the outside thereof, said plates being recessed to correspond with the recesses 19, the purpose of which plates being to prevent-the wood from splitting at this point. V

The operation'of my device is as follows: Assuming the lever to be rocked toward the rear of the frame and it is desired to pull off a boot, the heel is inserted in the space between the front ends of the clamping-jaws. The upper end of the lever is then rocked toward the operator, causing the slide to move in the opposite direction and forcing the wedge-shaped end 17 of the block 16between the rear ends of the clamping-jaws, thus causing them to rock on theirp'ivots' and decrease the width of the space between the front ends of the clamping jaws, thus tightening the same upon the heel of the'boot. The toe of the boot meanwhile being in the recess 21 in the lever, the tendency of the lever during its movement toward the operator is to more firmly secure the toe of the boot in the recess. After the boot has been removed from the foot the lever is rocked in the opposite direction, causing the slide to move in the opposite direction and causing the inclined inner faces of the blocks 15 to be brought in contact with the sides of the lugs or projections 8 on the rear ends of the clamping-jaws, thus causing the clamping-jaws to be rocked on their pivots and the space between their forward ends widened for the reception of a boot-heel when it is again desired to use the jack.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the numeral 22 indicates the lever, which in the present instance is bifurcated, as indicated by the numeral 23, and pivotally secured between the bifurcated ends of said leveris a link 24, provided on its lower face with two transverse grooves 25, adapted to fit over the pins in the recess in the forward end of the slide. Mounted upon the upper section of the link 24 is a block 26, which extends transversely between the side bars of the bootjack for the purpose of supporting the sole of the boot when the same is in position to be pulled off.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the precise construction shown in the drawings, and changes involving mechanical skill may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention-as, for instance, any desired number of recesses similar to recesses 20 may be provided on the side bars, by which the operating-lever can be pivoted with relation to the clamping-jaws.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a bootjack, pivoted and relativelymovable heel-clamping jaws, in combination with a sliding cam or wedge for operating said jaws, and an operating hand-lever having a jointed connection with said cam or wedge, substantially as described.

In a bootjack, a pair of relatively-movable heel-clampin g jaws, in combination with a slide cooperatin g with said jaws to open and close the latter, and an operating-lever having a jointed connection with said slide, substantially as described.

3. In a bootjack, the combination with a pair of relatively-movable heel-clam pi n g jaws, of a slide, cams thereon for actuating the jaws, and a hand-lever for reciprocating said slide, substantially as described.

4. In a bootjack, the combination with a pair of relatively-movable heel-clamping jaws having lugs at one end, of a slide having cams to operate on said lugs, and a hand-lever adjustably fulcrumed on the body of the jack and adjustably connected to said slide, substantially as described.

5. In a bootjaek, the combination with relatively-movable heel-clamping jaws, of a slide cooperating therewith, and an operating-lever having an adjustable connection with said slide, substantially as described.

6. In abootjack, the combination with relatively-movable heel-clamping jaws, of a lever adjustably connected to the body of the jack and provided with a toe-receiving recess and connections between said lever and jaws for operating the latter, substantially as described.

7. In abootjack, the combination with relatively-movable heel-clamping jaws, of a combined toe-clamp and lever mounted on the body of the jack, and connections between said lever and the jaws for operating the lat ter, substantially as described.

8. In abootjack, the combination with relatively-movable heel-clamping jaws, of a slide carrying means for operating said jaws, a lever fulcrumed on the body of the jack, and a link connecting one end of said lever with the slide, substantially as described.

0. In a bootjack, the combination with relatively-movable heel-clamping jaws, of a slide carrying means for operating said jaws, a lever fulcrumed on the jack, and a link 0011- necting said lever and slide, said link having a plurality of grooves to interchangeably fit a pin on the slide, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. A device of the character described, comprising a suitable frame, a bar extending across said frame and secured to either side thereof, two clamping-jaws pivoted to said bar, and provided at their rear ends with downwardly-projecting pins or lugs, a slide below said jaws, and provided with means for rocking the jaws on their pivots, and reducing and increasing the space between their forward ends, a lever pivoted to the frame and provided with a recess for the reception of the toe of the boot, and a link connected to the slide and pivoted to the lever,whereby the slide is moved in one direction or the other when the lever is rocked to open or close the pivoted jaws and to lessen or increase the distance between the recess in the lever, and the clamping-jaws, and means for supporting the sole of the boot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. A bootjack comprising two side bars suitably braced, and adapted to be secured to the floor, a cross-bar secured to the side bars and having two clamping-jaws pivoted thereto, said jaws having their rear ends provided with pins or projections, a slide between the side bars and provided with inclined camsurfaces adapted to lessen the space between the front ends of the clamping-jaws,when the slide is moved in one direction, and increasc/ the width of said space when moved in the opposite direction, a lever removably pivoted to the side bars, and provided with a recess for the toe of the boot, and a link connected to the slide and pivoted to the lever, so that the said slide will be moved in one direction or the other, and means for supporting the sole of the boot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination with a slide having a recess in its end, of a lever pivoted in the frame and provided with an opening or pocket In testimony whereof I have signed this for the reception of the toe of the boot, and specification in the presence of two subscrib- & link pivoted to said lever and to the slide, ing Witnesses.

said link being provided with a rest for the CHARLES F. SPAID. 5 sole of the boot when the same is in position Witnesses:

to be pulled off, substantially as and for the B. GIBSON,

purpose set forth. l B. HANNUM. 

